Two Pakistani individuals, stranded on a ship seized by Iranian forces, are set to be released pending confirmation of their nationalities and completion of legal procedures.
Iranian envoy to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, stated that they are awaiting confirmation of the presence of Pakistani nationals on the ship before proceeding with their release.
The diplomat confirmed that the details have been shared with higher authorities in Tehran and emphasized that if there are Pakistanis aboard the ship, they will be released after fulfilling legal requirements, considering the brotherly ties between the two countries.
The matter was raised by the Foreign Office with Iranian authorities in Islamabad on Sunday, with relevant details shared during the discussion.
The development follows a plea for assistance from the family of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of an Israel-linked container ship seized by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The COO, Muhammad Adnan Aziz, is reported to be one of the two Pakistanis on board.
His family, residing in Karachi, Azad Kashmir, and London, expressed concerns over his safety and urged swift action for his safe return. They clarified that Aziz was merely performing his professional duties and had no involvement in the ownership of the ship or regional conflicts.
The ship was seized near the Strait of Hormuz amidst heightened tensions following an Israeli attack on Iran’s consulate in Syria. It was reported that the IRGC has now directed the ship towards Iranian territorial waters.